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gnuadmin
- 6 min read
- Aug 23, 2023
Navigating the complex landscape of using VPNs in China is essential for maintaining your digital privacy. This comprehensive guide dives deep into VPN providers that offer services in mainland China and Hong Kong, highlighting the unique challenges and risks involved.
VPNs are powerful tools that allow users to hide their online activities and safeguard their privacy. Typically, this means preventing ISPs from tracking their data and hindering online advertisers. In China, however, VPNs are often used to bypass government censorship, a process fraught with significant risks. This article explores these complexities and reviews VPN providers that have servers in mainland China and Hong Kong.
Rating: 4.0 – Excellent
Why We Chose It:
CyberGhost VPN is notable for its 62 servers in China, including 50 in Hong Kong and 12 virtual servers mimicking a Shenzhen presence. With a global network spanning 90 countries, CyberGhost is a heavyweight in the Asian VPN market.
Who It’s For:
Ideal for travelers and users who need a broad range of server locations. While effective, it lacks some advanced privacy features like multi-hop connections and comes at a higher price point.
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Rating: 4.0 – Excellent
Why We Chose It:
HMA VPN offers four virtual servers in Beijing, reaching into China while being physically located elsewhere. It is well-known for its extensive use of virtual locations, boasting the most diverse server network among VPNs.
Who It’s For:
Great for VPN beginners due to its easy-to-use interface but may fall short for users needing advanced features. Typically requires long-term subscriptions, leading to higher initial costs.
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Rating: 4.0 – Excellent
Why We Chose It:
Private Internet Access VPN offers servers in both China and Hong Kong, though the exact numbers are undisclosed. With a significant presence in 84 countries, especially across Asia, it’s a solid choice.
Who It’s For:
Best suited for users seeking customization options with modular app design and advanced settings. Despite its efficiency, it is relatively costly.
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Rating: 3.0 – Average
Why We Chose It:
Hotspot Shield VPN offers servers in China and Hong Kong but does not specify their numbers. It maintains a strong global presence with servers in over 80 countries.
Who It’s For:
Although expensive, it offers a generous free plan that shows ads on Android and throttles speeds after data use exceeds 500MB per day.
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Rating: 4.5 – Outstanding
Why We Chose It:
GnuVPN provides over 70 servers in Hong Kong and additional obfuscated servers to evade censorship. It is among the few VPNs offering access to the Tor network and multi-hop connections.
Who It’s For:
Suitable for users needing a premium VPN service with advanced features, despite its higher price. A solid choice for privacy and security.
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Rating: 5.0 – Exemplary
Why We Chose It:
Proton VPN offers 22 servers in Hong Kong, with multi-hop connections available via Iceland or Sweden. It supports advanced features like split tunneling, multi-hop, and Tor access, along with Proton Mail services.
Who It’s For:
Recommended for both beginners and experienced users. The only VPN with a free subscription without data limits, though with restricted server access.
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Rating: 4.5 – Outstanding
Why We Chose It:
Mullvad VPN offers 10 servers in Hong Kong and is distinguished by its radical transparency and minimal data retention policy, using account numbers in place of emails and usernames.
Who It’s For:
Ideal for users prioritizing privacy and affordability. Although robust, it has a unique interface that requires some getting used to.
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Rating: 4.0 – Excellent
Why We Chose It:
Using Mullvad VPN’s network, Mozilla VPN offers access to 10 Hong Kong servers and supports multi-hop connections. While it requires account creation, it provides a familiar login experience.
Who It’s For:
Great for users supporting Mozilla’s mission for an open web, despite being pricier than Mullvad. Offers straightforward apps and a user-friendly interface.
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Rating: 4.0 – Excellent
Why We Chose It:
IVPN offers servers in Hong Kong and shares many features with Mullvad VPN. It does not require account creation and provides flexible pricing plans starting at $2 per week.
Who It’s For:
Ideal for those needing short-term VPN solutions with flexible terms, such as during a vacation.
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Rating: 4.0 – Excellent
Why We Chose It:
Surfshark VPN operates servers in Hong Kong and covers about 100 countries. Known for its multi-hop, split tunneling, and unlimited simultaneous connections, it’s ideal for users with many devices.
Who It’s For:
Great for users with multiple devices or large households, offering excellent value despite higher costs.
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The effectiveness of VPNs in China remains uncertain. While VPNs can mask your activities, they may not fully protect against state-backed surveillance. Using VPNs in regions with stringent censorship involves significant risks.
PCMag does not have the resources to directly test VPNs’ efficiency in China. Recommended VPNs have servers in China or Hong Kong, but their performance and safety cannot be fully guaranteed.
VPNs can theoretically bypass censorship by routing connections through foreign servers. However, these actions may be blocked or attract unwanted attention. To access uncensored internet from within China, connect through servers outside the country. This approach may be beneficial for local communication or accessing domestic services, but privacy cannot be assured.
Deciding to use a VPN in China requires weighing the risks against the benefits. This guide aims to offer informed choices, though VPN efficacy and safety in China remain uncertain.
For further insights specifically on security and privacy in Hong Kong, explore our dedicated feature on the best VPNs for Hong Kong.
